Manado Bunaken National Marine Park, Indonesia

Example - Entrance Tag 2009

The North Sulawesi Provincial Government is proud to announce the Bunaken National Park Entrance Fee System for 2006. In accordance with Provincial Law Number 9/2002, the 2009 entrance fees for foreign visitors are Rp 50,000 per daily ticket (approximately US$6) or Rp 150,000 (approximately US$17) for a waterproof plastic entrance tag valid for the full calendar year. Tags (or tickets) must be carried at all times the guest is within park boundaries and can easily be affixed to guests diving or snorkeling gear or on backpacks. The entrance fee system has been adapted from the well-known Bonaire Marine Park system and was successful in raising over $420,000 for conservation programs in Bunaken during the period from 2001- 2004.

Entrance tags and tickets can be purchased through marine tourism operators based in Manado and in the Bunaken National Park, or can be purchased from one of three ticket counters in Bunaken and Liang villages on Bunaken Island and on Siladen Island. Enforcement of the entrance fee system is conducted via spot checks by park rangers on land and at sea.

Park Management

All proceeds from sales of the entrance tags and tickets are managed by the Bunaken National Park Management Advisory Board (BNPMAB), a multistakeholder board established by Governor's decree No. 233/2000 and consisting of dive operators, environmental organizations, academia, pertinent government officials and villagers from within the park. The BNPMAB will utilize these funds to finance a number of high priority conservation programs in the park, including patrols and enforcement to abolish destructive fishing practices such as blast and cyanide fishing, village improvement programs within the park, collection and disposal of plastic and other wastes entering the park's waters, marine conservation education of village children and adults, and reef and mangrove rehabilitation.

We greatly appreciate your support and cooperation with this entrance fee system. Conservation of Bunaken's spectacular marine habitats requires funding, and your entrance fee is a valuable contribution to saving Bunaken's reefs.

Thank you for visiting Bunaken National Park. We hope you enjoy your stay, and aim to ensure it is even better the next time you visit.